Blog Tour/Review: The Murderer’s Maid by Erika Mailman

I’m delighted to host today’s stop on the blog tour for The Murderer’s Maid by Erika Mailman, a fascinating fictionalised account of the true story of the brutal murder of Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother.

Plus…there’s a giveaway with a chance to win a hardcover copy of The Murderer’sMaid.

To enter, and to check out the other great bloggers on the tour, visit the tour page by clicking here. The giveaway closes 11:59pm EST on November 8th 2017.

About the Book

The Murderer’s Maid interweaves the stories of two women: one, the servant of infamous Lizzie Borden, and the other a modern-day barista fleeing from an attempt on her life. Trapped by servitude and afraid for her own safety, Irish maid Bridget finds herself an unwilling witness to the tensions in the volatile Borden household. As Lizzie seethes with resentment, Bridget tries to perform her duties and keep her mouth shut.

Unknowingly connected to the legendary crime of a century ago, Brooke, the illegitimate daughter of an immigrant maid, struggles to conceal her identity and stay a jump ahead of the men who want to kill her. When she unexpectedly falls in love with Anthony, a local attorney, she has to decide whether to stop running and begin her life anew.

‘Erika Mailman writes a page turner of a thriller that will fascinate as well as terrify.’ (Margaret Lane, New York Journal of Books)

‘Fascinating, mesmerizing, and so darkly atmospheric that you keep looking over your shoulder as you read.” (Diana Gabaldon, internationally-bestselling author of the Outlander series)

‘The Murderer’s Maid is a fascinating and deeply chilling tale. Erika Mailman weaves a story that is by turns poignant, compelling, and murderously suspenseful.’(Kathleen Kent, author of The Heretic’s Daughter)

My Review

Through the eyes of Bridget Sullivan, maid to the Borden family, we get a first-hand view of that exceptionally odd household, the events leading up to the murder of Mr and Mrs Borden and the strange dynamics of the fateful day on which the tragedy took place. The author convincingly conveys why economic necessity would have persuaded Bridget, an Irish immigrant desperate to support her family back home, to remain in that unsettling household against her better judgment and in spite of the urgings of her friends.

I was gripped by the way the story unfolded (although the inclusion at certain points of a couple of additional points of views did throw me slightly) and, like many others I suspect, I found it hard to believe the eventual acquittal of Lizzie Borden based on the evidence from the scene of the crime.

I enjoyed Brooke’s story set in the modern day and I’ll freely admit the author wrong footed me at the end with the solution to the mystery of those pursuing her. However, her link to the Borden case felt rather tangential although it did allow the author to introduce some interesting location detail. By the by, what a fantastic man Brooke got herself there in Anthony: rich, handsome, intelligent, witty and understanding. I hope, for the author’s sake, he’s modelled on someone she knows!

Aside from the rhyme, I knew very little about the Borden case before reading this book. The author brought the story to life in convincing detail and with a real sense of the period to create a thoroughly engrossing work perfect for fans of both historical fiction and true crime.

I received an advance reading copy courtesy of HF Virtual Book Tours in return for an honest review.

About the Author

Erika Mailman is the author of The Witch’s Trinity, a San Francisco Chronicle Notable Book and Bram Stoker Award finalist, and Woman of Ill Fame, a Pushcart Press Editor’s Book Award nominee. She’s a Yaddo fellow and lives in Northern California with her family.